Rural and Regional Liberals Demand Action on Working Holiday Visa Delays

Rural and Regional Liberals Demand Action on Working Holiday Visa Delays

Farmers face growing uncertainty ahead of harvest as regional workforce concerns intensify.

The Federal Parliamentary Rural and Regional Liberals, chaired by the Federal Member for O’Connor, Rick Wilson MP, is calling on the Albanese Government to urgently address growing concerns over delays and uncertainty in the Working Holiday Maker visa program, warning the consequences could be felt across agriculture, tourism and regional communities nationwide.

Regional Liberal MPs say farmers and business owners are increasingly contacting their local federal representatives concerned that backpackers they were expecting to arrive for harvest and summer work may not arrive in time, or at all.

The committee said confidence in the system is rapidly eroding.

"Across regional Australia, growers are telling us they are anxious about where their workforce is going to come from this harvest." Mr Pasin, a member of the committee said.

The Rural and Regional Liberals are concerned by reports that Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa applications have slowed significantly following changes affecting applicants from 24 countries and the apparent de-prioritisation of some visa streams.

This follows a directive from the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Tony Burke, in August who confirmed that WHM visas were being handled “more slowly than they were previously” but failed to provide further information about the reason for the slowdown.

Businesses and prospective workers alike have been left frustrated by a lack of clarity around processing arrangements, with many reporting application timeframes far longer than those historically experienced.

Farmers need certainty ahead of one of the most important periods of the agricultural calendar.

"I am hearing concerns from right across Barker that workers who would previously have received visa approvals relatively quickly are now facing lengthy delays and uncertainty." Mr Pasin said.

"The Government needs to explain what has changed, what resources are being allocated to processing these applications and what steps are being taken to ensure businesses can access workers before harvest gets underway." Mr Pasin said.

The concerns come at a time when farmers are already grappling with rising input costs, ongoing labour shortages, biosecurity challenges, increased regulation and seasonal pressures.

The impact extends well beyond agriculture.

Working Holiday Makers are a major source of labour for hospitality, tourism and retail businesses throughout regional Australia, particularly during the busy summer period when coastal communities experience a significant influx of visitors.

"These workers don't just help bring in harvests. They work in cafes, restaurants, shops, accommodation providers and tourism businesses that keep regional communities vibrant." Mr Pasin said.

"At the same time, they spend money locally, support small businesses and contribute to the economic life of the towns they call home during their stay." Mr Pasin said.

"The Minister must come clean on the impact of changes affecting applicants from 24 countries, explain the apparent de-prioritisation of Working Holiday Maker visas, and outline what action is being taken to ensure regional industries are not left short of workers." Mr Pasin said